Published on 12/3/2025, 9:00:00 AM
First Time Offense Credit Card Theft in Maryland: What To Expect
A first allegation involving a credit or debit card can feel stressful. Banks flag transactions, stores pull video, and investigators may try to combine purchases to raise the stakes. In Maryland, �credit card� includes debit cards and even an account number that can move money or obtain goods. That means a case can proceed without the physical plastic.
How these cases start
- A cardholder reports unauthorized use
- The bank or merchant flags activity and provides records
- Police seek video, POS logs, and witness statements
Read our overview: credit card fraud in Maryland and Maryland theft lawyer.
Penalties depend on value and proof
Many first-time use cases are charged under Crim. Law Section 8-206 for using a stolen or counterfeit card, or for pretending to be the cardholder. Penalties hinge on the total value the State can prove:
- $100,000 or more: felony, up to 20 years and $25,000 fine
- $25,000 to under $100,000: felony, up to 10 years and $15,000 fine
- $1,500 to under $25,000: felony, up to 5 years and $10,000 fine
- $100 to under $1,500: misdemeanor, up to 1 year and $500 fine
- Under $100: misdemeanor, up to 90 days and $500 fine
Maryland allows the State to treat one scheme or continuing course of conduct as a single violation and aggregate the value across transactions to set the tier.
Prosecutors also charge merchants or situations involving acceptance of a stolen or counterfeit card under Crim. Law Section 8-207. That section uses the same value ladder and aggregates the value furnished or not furnished.
You may also see general theft charged under Title 7 instead of the credit-card-specific statutes. For those tiers, start with these primers: theft under $100 and theft $100 to $1500. For pattern allegations, see what is a theft scheme.
What is �credit card theft� in Maryland?
Some first-timers are charged with credit card theft under Crim. Law Section 8-204 for taking a card, keeping a misdelivered or lost card to use or transfer, buying or selling a card, or receiving a card knowing it was stolen. This is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months and a $500 fine.
Defense angles that matter
- Authorization and mistaken identity. The State has to prove lack of consent and, for theft-type charges, that you knew the card was taken or obtained by false statement.
- Card or number. The definition includes debit cards and account numbers. The State must still prove lack of authorization and the connection to any transactions.
- Reliability of video and witness identifications
- Lawful acquisition of device/account data and POS records
- Accurate value calculations and aggregation limits
- Chain of custody and documentation gaps
What to do right now
- Do not discuss facts with anyone but your lawyer.
- Gather receipts, statements, messages, and card/bank records.
- Move quickly to preserve surveillance and POS logs.
- Get counsel in early to protect your rights and shape the record.
When first-timers avoid the worst outcomes
Early mitigation, restitution documentation, and targeted motions practice can change results. Outcomes always depend on the specific facts and proof.
Talk to a lawyer today
Focused, early work can make a difference in first-time cases. See our Credit Card Theft Lawyer in Maryland page, review theft cases, and contact us for a free consultation.
FAQs
Q: Do debit cards count as �credit cards� under Maryland law?
A: Yes. Maryland�s definition covers debit cards and even account numbers that can obtain goods, services, or money.
Q: Can the State combine multiple small purchases?
A: Yes. Transactions in one scheme or continuing course of conduct can be combined to determine the charge level.
Q: Are first-time cases always misdemeanors?
A: No. Charge level depends on the total value tied to the scheme and the statute the State uses.
